Windows Update Sufficient for Driver Updates?
- Thread starter jack1953
- Start date
Windows Update can provide driver updates if set up to do so. Driver update software is generally a waste of time and money, since they invariably charge you for drivers which you can get for free from the hardware manufacturer's website. In addition, these are often a couple or so releases behind, so I recommend just downloading them directly from the manufacturer.
My Computer
- Computer type
- PC/Desktop
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Dwarf Dwf/11/2012 r09/2013
- OS
- Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
- CPU
- Intel Core-i5-3570K 4-core @ 3.4GHz (Ivy Bridge) (OC 4.4GHz)
- Motherboard
- ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M
- Memory
- 4 x 4GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (16GB)
- Graphics Card(s)
- MSI GeForce GTX770 Gaming OC 2GB
- Sound Card
- Realtek High Definition on board solution (ALC 898)
- Monitor(s) Displays
- ViewSonic VA1912w Widescreen (VGA)
- Screen Resolution
- 1440x900
- Hard Drives
- OCZ Agility 3 SSD 120GB SATA III x2 (RAID 0)
Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATA II x2
Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 1TB SATA II
Iomega 1.5TB Ext USB 2.0
WD 2.0TB Ext USB 3.0
- PSU
- XFX Pro Series 850W Semi-Modular
- Case
- Gigabyte IF233
- Cooling
- 1 x 120mm Front Inlet 1 x 120mm Rear Exhaust
- Keyboard
- Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 (USB)
- Mouse
- Microsoft Comfort Mouse 3000 for Business (USB)
- Internet Speed
- NetGear DG834Gv3 ADSL Modem/Router (Ethernet) ~4.0 Mb/s (O2)
- Antivirus
- Avast! 8.0.1497
- Browser
- IE 11
- Other Info
- Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH10LS30 SATA Bluray
Lexmark S305 Printer/Scanner/Copier (USB)
WEI Score: 8.1/8.1/8.5/8.5/8.25
Asus Eee PC 1011PX Netbook (Windows 7 x86 Starter)
Windows Updates will do a fairly good job 
You will not be behind on driver updates and if you are, it is usually never that crucial.
Don't spend big bucks on software that will update drivers, that are free to download anyways.
Just make sure to have SP1 and check windows updates for optional updates and download only if you think you need it.
You will not be behind on driver updates and if you are, it is usually never that crucial.
Don't spend big bucks on software that will update drivers, that are free to download anyways.
Just make sure to have SP1 and check windows updates for optional updates and download only if you think you need it.
My Computer
- Computer type
- PC/Desktop
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Gateway / Slight Modifications
- OS
- Windows 8 64 bit PRO
- CPU
- AMD Phenom X4 9100e
- Motherboard
- Gateway RS780
- Memory
- 2GB X2 DDR2
- Graphics Card(s)
- Sapphire HD 6850
- Sound Card
- Integrated
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Gateway 19" + Dell 19"
- Screen Resolution
- 1440X900 sometimes 2880 by 900
- Hard Drives
- WD 80GB
WD 640GB
WD 1,000GB
- PSU
- Antec BP 550watts
- Case
- Antec 300
- Cooling
- Stock Cooling
- Keyboard
- Saitek Eclipse II
- Mouse
- Gigabyte GM-M6800
- Internet Speed
- D: 30Mbps U:4Mbps
- Antivirus
- Avast version 8
- Browser
- Internet Explorer ver 10 64 bit
- Other Info
- This is my work computer.
I have another laptop running Windows 7 64 bit.
Another PC running Windows 8 64 bit pro.
Total of 3
Whether you rely on Windows Updates or third party software to update drivers, make sure you create a restore point (or better yet, a system image) in case the new driver causes issues.
Case in point: about a week ago Windows Update offered me a new Intel HD Graphics driver. I installed it and started experiencing error messages that Internet Explorer and/or Windows Explorer needed to close. I also got random BSODs for a Bad Pool Header.
Just because there's a new driver available doesn't mean it will make your computer perform better. When it comes to drivers I truly believe in the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Case in point: about a week ago Windows Update offered me a new Intel HD Graphics driver. I installed it and started experiencing error messages that Internet Explorer and/or Windows Explorer needed to close. I also got random BSODs for a Bad Pool Header.
Just because there's a new driver available doesn't mean it will make your computer perform better. When it comes to drivers I truly believe in the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
My Computer
- Computer type
- Laptop
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Sony Vaio VPCEB47GM Laptop
- OS
- Win 7 Pro 64-bit
- CPU
- Intel i5 2.4 Ghz
- Memory
- 8GB DDR3
- Graphics Card(s)
- Intel HD 3000
- Sound Card
- IDT High Definition
- Monitor(s) Displays
- 15.6 WGXA Anti-Glare LED
- Screen Resolution
- 1280x800
- Hard Drives
- 640Gb 7200rpm
- Antivirus
- MSE
- Browser
- Opera (primary) with IE9 backup
Influx
New member
Yes, it does its job very well. Driver Update Softwares are not recommended, you should update your drivers, from the manufacturer's website whenever Windows Update does not include the latest drivers for your hardware. This is usually necessary in fixing issues with old drivers.
My Computer
- OS
- Win7 Ultimate x64 SP1 / WCP x64 / Ubuntu 11 x64